The senior class at Secaucus High School, a close-knit group of 156 individuals, is ready to take the next step toward the future. Graduation is scheduled to take place at the Performing Arts Center on June 27 at 6:30 p.m.
The class has a lot happening up until their final day of high school with awards ceremonies, graduation practices, finals and a senior breakfast. One thousand people are expected to attend the graduation. Students will hear speeches from valedictorian Yangfan (Judy) Liu, salutatorian Leila Yang, and Class President Brianna Charles. Both Assistant Principal Frank Costello and Principal Dr. Robert Berckes (“Dr. Bob”) agreed that what sets this year’s graduating class apart is their camaraderie and the way that they look out for one another.
A supportive environment
“We are very proud of them and that’s because of who they are and the staff that we have that works with them,” said Dr. Bob. He reflected on how well the staff worked together throughout the year and how incredibly supportive they have been of the students.
“I’m hoping I can get the most out of everything I do.” – Brianna Charles
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Snedeker played the lead role in the school musical, “Anything Goes.” She also played four years of varsity softball, was the soccer goalie, and was a drum major in the marching band. She points to AP English as what best prepared her for college and life.
“You tackle so many hard concepts, you grapple with all these complexities, it makes you examine yourself and your choices,” noted Snedeker.
Lessons in action
Class President Brianna Charles, 18, was responsible for organizing the prom and fundraisers among other activities. Graduating 10th in her class, she kept busy throughout the year as a member of the band, chorus, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Foreign Language Honor Society, the American Technology Society, Junior State of America, National English Honor Society, Literary Explorers, and Metamorphosis. She also played tennis and softball and took on a role in the school musical.
She even had the opportunity to intern at Huber Street School assisting with Mrs. Lopeni’s fifth grade class. She hopes to carry over her interest in being an active member of clubs and organizations as she goes off to The College of New Jersey to double major in elementary education and combined math, science and technology.
“I’m hoping I can get the most out of everything I do. I’m hoping to be involved. All I have learned here, I want to carry it with me throughout college, throughout the rest of my life,” said Charles.
“My sophomore year I had the best chemistry teacher. Mr. Martinez was the absolute best teacher for me….I had a great time in his class,” said 18-year-old Eric Kosky, about the inspiration for his decision to pursue a six-year doctoral degree program in pharmacy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Kosky will walk at graduation in the footsteps of his father, mother, and aunts who all attended Secaucus High School. His father was part of the very first graduating class at SHS.
Kosky is the student government recording secretary, soccer, track, and swimming captain, and also played the role of Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in “Anything Goes.”
When asked what he looks forward to at college, he said, “I’m looking forward to the cheese steaks,” and later added that he picked a small-sized college because he wanted a similar setting as SHS.
“I just want to continue being involved in school over there….I wanted teachers to know my name,” he said. “That is what I really liked here.”
Charles, Snedecker and Kosky are among many students who received awards and scholarships for academic excellence and athletic achievement. Over 90 awards were given out from 37 scholarship organizations.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.